Joseph revs up for grass-track glory

YOUNG Joseph Lawlor is going full throttle in the sport of grass-track racing.

The eight-year-old, from Failsworth, finished runner-up in the auto cadet section at British Youth Championships in Leamington Spa after coming seventh 12 months earlier.

Joseph, who races up to speeds of 50mph, is used to leaving his rivals in his wake.

He leads both the North-West and North-East Centre championships and heads the standings in junior grass-track riders’ club series for Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Following in the footsteps of his dad, Stephen, who once rode for Belle Vue Juniors, Joseph will travel the length and breadth of England to compete in his chosen pursuit.

He won the David Nixon Memorial and the Junior Poacher in Wainfleet on the east coast of Lincolnshire, and completed a perfect six wins in the latest round of the Worcestershire Grass-Track Championship, beating the current British champion in his age group every time.

Mum, Angela, admits she sometimes finds it difficult to watch as Joseph hits top speed.

She said: “The sport can be quite dangerous. Joseph was hit once and hurt his shoulder, but he was soon back up again.

“He took part in a handicap race in Pickering recently, where the slowest riders went off first and the fastest last. He was last to go but still managed to win.”

“Joseph moves up to the cadet section next year and he is currently having a new bike built, with a bigger engine.”

If anybody would like to sponsor Joseph, please call (0161) 682 1599.